Red Wine Stains

There are very few things that the eye will catch more than red wine stains on a carpet. In a time when many people opt for white, beige, or tan carpets, a red wine stain stands out like nothing else. Most wine stains are, obviously, accidental. They are usually limited to either a drop or two that spilled out of a glass or, at worst, an entire glass that spilled onto the floor. And the biggest problem with these stains? They can seem impossible to get out. Presented with a situation in which there is a glaring red stain on a pristine piece of carpet, many people will turn to friends and family and (perhaps) various chemicals under their sinks in order to try and remove these stains.

How Stains Affect Carpets

The dyes that are contained within red wines are extremely strong. They are easily absorbed by fabrics and carpet fibers (and even your teeth, as some heavy wine drinkers can attest). Once a medium has been exposed to red wine, the red wine begins to work its way into it and will, if given time, set. Once set, red wine can become extremely difficult to remove. It is important to try and clean up any spilled red wine as quickly as possible to avoid this situation. Similar to fabric dyes, red wines have a pigment that is derived from grape skins. That pigment is part of a food-coloring family of chemicals that are collectively known as anthocyanins. These chemicals are quickly and easily absorbed by fabrics through attachment of the anthocyanins to the fibers that those fabrics are composed of.

Red Wine Removal from Carpets and Fabrics

There are a few tried and true methods for the removal of red wine stains from carpets:

• White wine – It may seem counterintuitive to try and clean up one wine stain with another, but white wine is one of the best ways to remove red wine from fabric. Pour a small portion of white wine onto the red wine stain and blot with a clean and absorbent cloth. It is very important to blot and not to rub or wipe. Wiping or rubbing will spread the stain.
• Peroxide – Mixing common 2% hydrogen peroxide half and half with dishwashing soap in a bowl and applying it to the stain can help to remove red wine stains. Let the mixture sit on the stain for up to two minutes, then scrub the affected area with water and a cloth and apply a clean cloth to the area to soak up excess liquid. Repeat until the stain has been removed. Again: remember to blot and not to wipe or rub.
• Salt – Adding salt to a fresh red wine stain will help to absorb some of the stain and will help to prevent the stain from setting and/or spreading. Vacuum the salt and stained area after allowing the salt to sit for a couple of minutes.

One thing not to try is using bleach. Bleach may get rid of the red wine stain, but it will take all of the color out of the carpet (including white carpet) right along with it. Never use bleach to remove a carpet or upholstery stain.

Solutions exist for removing red wine stains somewhat easily at home. These solutions are often best utilized as quickly as possible after the stain has occurred (prior to any drying). While these stains can be removed from carpet by individual homeowners, it may be a good idea to consult a professional cleaning company in order to make sure you are not going to either damage your fabric or simply to review your options. Many companies offer quick and easy solutions for removing red wine stains from carpet and will often include that service along with their other carpet and fabric cleaning solutions.